The stochastic resonance (SR) is a phenomenon discovered recently in some nonlinear systems where addition of a certain amount of noise can, somewhat paradoxically, enhance its performance. It has found applications in biological sensory systems [1] such as visual, auditory systems, and tactile system as well as engineering applications such as ac-driven Schmitt triggers, and […]

During the past two decades, the primal-dual scheme has been a major tool for the design of algorithms with very good approximation factors for NP-hard problems. This method is based on the duality theorems of Linear Programming (LP): Strong duality ensures that satisfaction of complementary slackness conditions implies optimality of a (fractional) solution. “Good” relaxation […]

Recent studies have shown that many licensed spectrum bands are under-utilized, which formspectrum holes [1]. The concept of cognitive radio was introduced in order to increase theusage of the spectrum [2]. In cognitive radio systems [3], unlicensed users (which are alsocalled secondary users) can perform sensing over a wide range of spectrum bands. Thesecondary users […]

The accurate recording of EEG (electro-encephalographic) signals from the scalp provides an important source of information for many research topics focused on analyzing the correlation between brain dynamics and specific states of the body for patients or healthy subjects. The recording of clean EEG signals becomes nevertheless a daunting task when attempting to quantify the […]

The Multimedia Information Management and Security (MIMS) group in UBC has been actively involved in developing multimedia fingerprinting algorithms that can assist content-providers with finding copies of their assets such as videos or images in online databases. Almost all of the current image and video fingerprinting algorithms are designed for grayscale images and videos. In […]

This project involves the design, implementation and testing of a short range wireless communication network employing technologies such as Bluetooth or ZigBee. The objective is to collect signals related to physiological conditions and physical positions and activities using various sensors, including but not limited to accelerometers, gyroscopes and ECG. These nodes are placed around the […]

In photosynthesis a protein complex absorbs photons and converts them to charge.  This process is achieved with extremely high quantum efficiency.  We are investigating several means of incorporating these protein reaction centres into photovoltaic devices.  The key is to efficiently extract charge from the reaction centres.  We are doing this using direct tunneling to electrodes […]

Wireless relaying has been recently proposed as a promising method in wireless communications that offers considerable performance improvement without the need of high transmission powers. Its operation is based upon the concept of deploying relay terminals in order to forward the information sent by a source terminal to a destination terminal. In this way, the […]

Surgeons routinely use electrocautery to remove unwanted tissue, seal off and cauterize small bleeding vessels in the tissue, or create a surgical incision. Cauterizing tissue, however, creates a smoke plume that contains potential carcinogens as a result of carbonization of proteins and fat. The (soft) tissues that are treated may also contain hazardous materials, e.g., […]

Driven by economic, technical and environmental reasons, the interest in distributed and renewable generation (DG) is increasing without signs of slowing down.Large-scale integration of DG units, storage and electronic control devices will be of significant impact on the structure, performance and operation practices of future energy systems. Dynamic interactions between DG units, system control device […]

Solar energy has long been recognized as one of the most abundant forms of clean energy. Countless research efforts around the globe are contributing to the steady decline in the cost of photovoltaic power, with the promise of reaching grid parity in the near future. This is a complex target, as the price of conventional […]

The key challenge of condition monitoring is to predict, based on non-destructive inspection and operating data, whether or not a piece of equipment needs replacing or not. In this case the piece of equipment is an overhead power conductor – a critical element in electrical power supply. Measuring the voltage level of an overhead conductor […]